It promises to be the biggest game in the history of both clubs and Harpenden Town manager Micky Nathan is expecting a ding-dong clash when they face Leverstock Green in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division play-offs.

Neither side have ever reached the Southern League or played step four football, but the winner of Wednesday's semi-final at Rothamsted Park will only be 90 minutes away from that.

And with both teams very familiar to the other, the match promises to have everything you would expect from a high-stakes cup tie.

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Town are unbeaten in their last eight league games. Picture: PETER SHORTHarpenden Town are unbeaten in their last eight league games. Picture: PETER SHORT (Image: Peter Short)

Nathan said: "We went to Levy and lost 2-0 at the beginning of the season and then a couple of months later they came to us on our new pitch and we beat them 3-1. 

"I know [manager Fergus Moore and assistant Scott McGleish] pretty well, and I know most of the players over there. 

"But they know most of ours too so it’s going to be an absolute ding dong of a game. 

"And there’s everything at stake because it's potential the biggest game for both clubs in their history. 

"We want to put on a show for the fans and let's see what happens."

Their last home game saw 290 pack their HQ but that figure should be a whole lot higher come the semi-final.

That just adds to the excitement head of the spectacle according to Nathan.

The Harpenden boss said: "Shefford was the last home game and there were close to 300 turned out on that sunny day.  

"To be honest with you, the fans have been absolutely unbelievable all season, even when it was cold and horrible and wet and windy. 

"The kids were still there, the parents were still there, all getting wet. 

"And I must say, to have the kids there, the players love that - giving them high fives and you know even asked for their autographs afterwards, that’s what non-league is all about.  

"[I would love to] see that on Wednesday night, it's just a shame that it's midweek when the kids are at school. 

"But I'm hearing the tickets are flying out through the door, two local clubs as well, both sets of fans will be supporting their teams and [whoever wins] will represent the final exceptionally well."

As with any one-off cup tie though, it will probably come down to who steps up on the day, and in that regard, Nathan is very happy with where he finds his team.

"I'm nice and relaxed at the minute," he said. "The message has gone out to the players in relation to who's available and I just keep getting thumbs up instead of thumbs down. 

"Everything from my part is looking really good, really positive. 

"We had a good training session on Saturday and the boys are in good spirits.  

"It's an amazing achievement to even get to this game. To finish third and equal the club’s highest ever finish in the Premier Division is a massive achievement in its own right.  

"We’ve been on a great run, seven wins to top the form guide. We're in a good situation and the lads are full of confidence at the minute.

"I can't wait."